Shipping envelope

Abstract

A shipping envelope comprising first, second and third panels, each having a front and a back, are adjoined side to side adjacent a first fold line between the first and second panels, and a second fold line between the second and third panels. The first panel has fixed information including a return address on the front and a first adhesive on the back to secure the first panel to a shipping container. The second and third panels include one or more areas for printing a delivery address and other variable information. A second adhesive secures the first panel to another panel when the panels are folded along the first and second fold lines so that they overlie the first panel, so that the delivery address is facing out on the envelope. Advantageously, the second and third panels comprise a first ply and the first panel comprises a second ply with the first and second plies overlying one another and secured together by a third adhesive therebetween adjacent the first fold line.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A shipping envelope for attachment to a shipping container comprising: first, second and third panels adjoined side to side, said panels each having a front and a back, said first panel being adjoined to said second panel by a first fold line and said second panel being adjoined to said third panel by a second fold line;   a first adhesive on the back of said first panel for securing said first panel to a shipping container;   information, including a return address, printed on the front of the first panel;   at least one of said second and third panels including a delivery address printed thereon;   a second adhesive along a side of one of said panels, said second adhesive adapted to secure said one of said panels to another of said panels when said panels are folded along their adjoining fold lines with both said second and third panels overlying said first panel and said delivery address facing outwardly on said envelope.   
     
     
       2. The shipping envelope of claim 1, wherein said second and third panels comprise a first ply and said first panel comprises a second ply, said first and second plies overlying one another with a third adhesive therebetween adjacent said first fold line. 
     
     
       3. The shipping envelope of claim 2, wherein said first ply comprises a first material, and said second ply comprises a second material. 
     
     
       4. The shipping envelope of claim 1, further comprising a fourth panel adjoined side to side to said third panel by a third fold line, wherein said second adhesive is adapted to secure the front of said first panel to the back of said third panel adjacent said second fold line when said panels are folded. 
     
     
       5. The shipping envelope of claim 4, wherein said delivery address is printed on the back of said second panel. 
     
     
       6. The shipping envelope of claim 1, wherein said first adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive with a release liner thereon, said release liner being removable therefrom to expose said first adhesive for securing said first panel to a shipping container. 
     
     
       7. The shipping envelope of claim 1 wherein said first and second fold lines comprise perforations. 
     
     
       8. The shipping envelope of claim 1, wherein at least one of said second and third panels includes a second area for printing variable information. 
     
     
       9. The shipping envelope of claim 1 further comprising further fixed information printed on at least one of said second and third panels. 
     
     
       10. A shipping envelope for attachment to a shipping container comprising: first and second plies, each having a front and a back, and transverse strips overlying one another and secured together by a first adhesive;   a first fold line adjacent said transverse strips;   said first ply forming a first panel;   said second ply formed into second, third and fourth panels by a second fold line between said second and third panels, and a third fold line between said third and fourth panels;   a second adhesive on the back of said first panel for securing said first panel to a shipping container;   areas on both said first and second plies for printing fixed information, including a return address;   said second ply including a delivery address printed thereon;   a third adhesive along a side of said first panel, said third adhesive adapted to secure said first panel to said third panel for securing said second, third and fourth panels over said first panel with said delivery address facing outwardly on said envelope.   
     
     
       11. The shipping envelope of claim 10, wherein said area for printing a return address is on the front of said first panel. 
     
     
       12. The shipping envelope of claim 10, wherein said delivery address is printed on the back of said second panel. 
     
     
       13. The shipping envelope of claim 10, wherein said second adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive with a release liner thereon, said release liner being removable therefrom for exposing said first adhesive for securing said first panel to a shipping container. 
     
     
       14. A folded shipping envelope for attachment to a shipping container comprising: first, second, third and fourth panels adjoined side to side, said panels each having a front and a back; said second, third and fourth panels being adjoined by fold lines;   a first adhesive on the back of said first panel for securing said first panel to a shipping container;   said second panel including a delivery address printed thereon;   a second adhesive along a side of said first panel;   said shipping envelope being folded such that said second, third and fourth panels are folded along their adjoining fold lines such that said second, third and fourth panels overlie said first panel and are adhered to said first panel by said second adhesive, and wherein said delivery address printed on said second panel faces outwardly on said envelope.